German coach leaves Lokomotiv Moscow in response to Russian invasion

Callum Boyle

Markus Gisdol took aim at Vladimir Putin during his exit statement

German coach Markus Gisdol has resigned from his position as manager of Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Gisdol only joined Lokomotiv in October but following Vladimir Putin’s orders to invade Ukraine, the 52-year-old confirmed he would be leaving the club with immediate effect.

Lokomotiv Moscow manager Markus Gisdol: 'I can’t stand at the training ground and coach the players, ask them to be professional when a few kilometres away there are orders given that brings suffering to the people of a whole country' https://t.co/H0bybeSL8m

— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) March 1, 2022

During his statement, Gisdol also called out the Russian president, saying: “I cannot pursue my calling in a country whose leader is responsible for a war of aggression in the middle of Europe.

“That is not in line with my values, which is why I have resigned from my position as coach of Lokomotiv Moscow with immediate effect.

“I can’t stand on the training ground in Moscow, train the players, demand professionalism and a few kilometers away orders are given that bring great suffering to an entire people.”

The German’s announcement comes as Dynamo Moscow’s assistant manager Andriy Voronin – who is of Ukrainian nationality – confirmed his decision to leave the club.

BREAKING: Dynamo Moscow assistant coach and Ukraine legend Andriy Voronin has left the club with immediate effect.

He left Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, saying: "I do not see any possibility of staying in a country whose army destroys our cities and fires at civilians.” pic.twitter.com/QlkpRWllzn

— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) March 1, 2022

He said: “I do not see any possibility of staying in a country whose army destroys our cities and fires at civilians.”

Meanwhile, both FIFA and UEFA have confirmed that Russia will be banned from competing in all international and domestic competitions for the foreseeable future.

A joint statement from the two governing bodies said: “Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which decisions envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.”

These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.

“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”

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